One-time 'no kill' commitment made by animal shelters in Saginaw, Midland and Bay City

"It's just a pledge that you won't euthanize any adoptable animals that day," -Beth Wellman

The Saginaw County Animal Care Center, located at 1312 Gratiot in Saginaw.Tim Goessman | MLive.com

SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw County Animal Control killed 2,154 dogs and cats in 2013, according to the county-run shelter's records.

Last month, 109 animals were put down at the Saginaw County Animal Care Center, the county shelter located at 1312 Gratiot in Saginaw.

Although those figures include animals that are euthanized because owners came in to request it, Animal Control Officer Elaine Thompson admits the numbers are still higher than most people would like to see.

Thompson, currently serving as acting animal control director, said Saginaw County is joining hundreds of animal shelters and rescue groups across the country to recognize "No Kill Day" on Wednesday, June 11.

Those include traditional shelters and animal control operations like those in Saginaw and Bay counties. The list also includes no-kill shelters and rescue groups like the Humane Society of Midland County and Pet Angel, a non-profit cat rescue based in Frankenmuth.

Thompson said Saginaw was asked to participate by Beth Wellman, the director of the Humane Society of Midland County's animal shelter.

"It's a national event pushing for shelters to consider the no-kill option and just promote animals and promote adoptions, and for the community to think adoption first and focus on the animals in need," Wellman said. "It's just a pledge that you won't euthanize any adoptable animals that day."

Midland County's shelter makes that pledge every day.

Ever since taking over management of the shelter in January 2011, the Humane Society of Midland County has refrained from putting down animals for space, a common practice at many shelters and animal control operations across the country.

Thompson clarified that Saginaw County will still euthanize sick or injured animals, if a veterinarian recommends it, and would also need to comply with any requests from pet owners to have their dog or cat euthanized.

"Other than that we're not going to put any animals down," she said.

Michael Halstead, Bay County Animal Control manager, said the unpleasant fact is that irresponsible pet owners and animal overpopulation makes it necessary for agencies like his to sometimes euthanize animals for space.

"It's not a duty that we relish," Halstead said. "There is an overpopulation of animals and we're left with no recourse.

"There are more animals out there than there are people that want to or can care for them. The end result is they end up at shelters such as ours."

Saginaw's county-run shelter has limited space and must make difficult decisions to ensure the facility does not become overcrowded, Thompson said. The agency must always be able to fulfill statutory requirements of picking up and keeping stray animals found running loose in Saginaw County.

Thompson said the shelter has limited itself to only taking 30 cats at a time. Six foster homes are currently helping to handle overflow since the shelter is currently past that capacity limit.

With 57 dogs currently at the facility, Thompson said the shelter is at about 90 percent capacity of what it can handle in terms of canines.

Wellman said the Humane Society has been working with Saginaw County for about a year, occasionally taking animals from the Animal Care Center when it becomes overcrowded.

"I told them about this event and am very glad that they wanted to take part in it," she said.

The Saginaw County Animal Care Center will be open for business 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. The facility's official adoption hours run from noon close of business.

"We have some nice cats down in the adoption room," Thompson said. "Hopefully some people will come down tomorrow and adopt some of them."

Bay County Animal Control's shelter, located at 800 Livingston Street in Bay City, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Halstead said he hopes people will come in to meet some of the many animals currently available for adoption. He pointed out this is the second year Bay County has participated in "No Kill Day."

The Humane Society of Midland County, located at 4371 East Ashman in Midland, is open today from noon to 7 p.m. and will be offering adoption discount.

"We have the 'Wheel of Adoption,' very similar to 'Wheel of Fortune,'" Wellman said. "We're trying it out."

She explained that those interested in adopting a particular dog or cat from the shelter can spin the wheel to determine their adoption fee. Spaces on the wheel include discounts like "pay what they weigh," "$20 off" and "half off."

Saginaw County held a special adoption event in Midland last weekend, during which two dogs were adopted.

Thompson said another event is planned for June 14 in Bay City. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., she said, a selection of adoptable animals from the shelter will be at Thelen Subaru dealership at 1112 North Euclid.

The potential pets from Saginaw County will be joined by animals from the Humane Society of Midland County as well for the event, which is part of the dealership's month-long grand opening.